The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-07-26

1
ing the hymn commencing:
Come, all ye sons of Zion,
| And let us praise the Lord.
Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Young.
Singing,
How great the wisdom and the love,
That filld the courts on high.
ELDER JUEIUs f. WELLS desired the
inspiration of the Spirit of God, that he
might say something of benefit to his
hearers. He reioiced in the privilege of
meeting with the Saints to worship
God. 1t is glorious thing. he said, to
know that there is way by which
mankind can be saved, for all hearts
yearned to learn of the great hereafter
Religion finds its place among all
peoples, of all lands and chimes, in con-
sequence of that yearning. Hope of
the future inspired all, this potent hope
buoyed all, and
RELIGION TAUGHT ALL THE PROSPECTS OF
HEAVEN
that the course of life of all secured
interests there. The congregation before
him caused him to reflect on the views
held by the Latter-day Saints. They
had come from various countries to this
far western land; they had reared
homes, schools and temples, and we're
striving to render obedience to God and
respect for the laws and command
ments He had given them. Elder Wells
had travelled abroad preaching the
principles of the religion he believed in;
the testimony he had borne was: There
is confusion and doubt on religious
matters in the Christian world-doubt,
infdelity and unbelief. In the begin
that uncertainty and doubt, Joseph
Smith was led to appeal 10 Col, that
he might know of the doctrines, whether
they were true or not. His appeal was
heard and answered, in a most marvel
Gus manner. He was but boy when
he prayed to God, and was inspired to
approach the Almighty by the passage
in James: IF any man lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, who giveth literally
and upbraideth not" Induced by this,
one bright aud beautiful morning, he
prayed fervently and without ceasiDg.
and while thus engaged, he tells us, he
was seized with a peculiar feeling, and
he saw above him a bright pillar of
light, and two personages whose glory
was brighter than anything he had
ever beheld: and one of those heavenly
beings said: Joseph, this is My be-
loved Son; hear ye Him." Great and
glorious was this holy vision, and as
one reflects This heart is filed with awe,
and can but feel impressed with its
greatness. There is
TRUTH IMPRESSED UPON THE FACTS
connected with it. Revelations followed
this vision. He was given to under
stand the first principles of the gospel,
ard those things concerning which there
had heretofore been doubt, were made
clear and plain. By the Spirit of God
men know the things of God; without
no man can comprehend God and His
ways. There were revealed faith,
repentance, baptism and the laying on
of hands. These principles had been
taught by the various sects Of the
world, one by one sect and another by
another; but never all by one body.
Some believed in one form of baptism
-sprinkling, or dipping, or immersing;
but the correct mode was revealed to
Joseph Smith, and the authority to
administer this ordinance was aiven
him from the heavens. 1t was a strange
announcement in this day and age, to
say that angels had ministered to men
in this generation. But angels had
appeared to men in all ages. Moses the
apostles and prophets were all taught
by angels. Joseph Smith received his
ordination and authority TO bsptize
under the hands of John the Baptist,
and his further ministrations were
authorized by confirmation at the hands
OF Peter, James and John. Honest men,
whose hearts yearned to learn the truth,
have embraced the gospel as taught by
Joseph Smith, and they have realized
and have received a knowledge of It's
divine origin. The Latter-day Saints
profess to give to the world the princi-
pies and doctrines of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. and they go forth Offering
them to the world. This profession has
STOOD THE TEST OF HALF A CENTURY,
and the results are large, intelligent,
honest congregations throughout the
length and breadth of the Territory.
Elder Wells own experience and
Saints believed the pure and true prin-
ciples taught by the Savior; the law of
life, the law of correct living; the law
of eternal progress; that there is no
end to the intelligence which will
follow the believers in the gospel of the
Son OF God. He hoped to secure the
blessings promised those VI no embraced
and lived up to the principles taught by
it. While the principles OF the gospel
seemed to be sufficient to him, he
would like to have them appear so to
his hearers. The principle of repentance,
he urged, was absolutely necessary.
With faith in God, this principle of
repentance was indispensable. A man
may put away from him that which
bars him from the presence of the
Creator, b1t to regain that presence he
must render obedience. All are prone
to sin, to do that which is wrong. The |
speaker urged all to ''tarn to God, and |
cease to do wrong" for the promise is |
forever held out that be who ceases to !
sin shall receive forgiveness, by observ. |
ing the ordinance laid down by the |
Savior.
no MAN CAN ENTEE HEAVEN
with sin on his skirts; he must forsake |
sin, purify his heart, and labor for the